About Toby and Julie Bainbridge

Toby and Julie Bainbridge run a small, family-owned natural winery in Chavagnes-les-Eaux, Anjou, Loire Valley, France. They met in Protection, Kansas, where Toby was working on a harvest crew and Julie was weighing trucks at her father’s co-op. After a long courtship, they moved to France, settling in Anjou with their two children. Toby began working with winemaker Didier Chaffardon in the early 2000s and later joined René Mosse, a prominent Anjou winemaker, before they launched their own domaine in 2012. Their winery now spans about 8 hectares, with approximately 6.5 hectares under vine, on calcium- and iron-rich, drought-resistant soils with black schist bedrock.

Winemaking Philosophy

The Bainbridges focus on organic and biodynamic farming, using sheep to manage vineyard vegetation and avoiding synthetic chemicals. Their wines are crafted for immediate enjoyment, emphasizing simplicity, freshness, and vibrancy. They use short macerations, neutral vessels (fiberglass or stainless steel), and no added sulfites, fining, or filtration. Their white wines are bottled in recycled clear Champagne bottles with crown caps to avoid cork taint and showcase the wine’s color.

Key Wines

• Les Jongleurs (Chenin Blanc): A dry, mineral-driven Chenin Blanc from two plots (sandy and quartz soils), aged in concrete, with pear, apple, and stone fruit notes. 11.5% ABV, zero-sulfur, unfined/unfiltered. Ideal with shellfish or brunch.

• Cuvée Crush (Grolleau): A light, chillable red (9.5% ABV) made from Grolleau, offering crunchy red fruit and subtle peppery, plummy depth. Perfect for casual sipping.

• Rouge aux Lèvres (Grolleau): A red with semi-carbonic maceration, aged in 400L barrels, showcasing bright fruit and earthy notes.

• La Danseuse (Pét-Nat, Grolleau Noir): A sparkling rosé made via Méthode Ancestrale, with fine bubbles and white peach flavors. Julie donates €1 per bottle to Solidarité Femmes, supporting women victims of violence.

• Cuvée Johnny Popper: A red blend, likely featuring Grolleau or Cabernet Franc, known for its approachable, fun style.

• Cuvée Highway.8: Another red, details sparse, but aligns with their light, natural style.

Notable Details

• Their wines are small-batch, with only about 6,500 bottles produced annually, distributed to markets like Denmark (including NOMA), Australia, and the U.S.

• Toby’s side projects include raising sheep, which act as “wooly lawnmowers” in the vineyards, and plans for olive and fruit trees.

• Their wines have gained international recognition, featured at top restaurants like NOMA and Relae in Copenhagen, and are praised for their clean, vibrant profiles.